Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Aug 2008
ReviewNovel biologic mechanisms of levosimendan and its effect on the failing heart.
Calcium sensitizers belong to a new class of cardiac enhancers that stimulate cardiac contractility without causing intracellular calcium overload or increasing myocardial oxygen demand. Levosimendan, the most well-studied calcium sensitizer in the real clinical practice, produces greater hemodynamic and symptomatic improvement in patients with acute heart failure than traditional inotropes. ⋯ Pleiotropic effects of levosimendan appear to have important clinical and prognostic implications in acute heart failure syndromes and ischemic heart disease.
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Induced hypothermia is a promising neuroprotective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Data from both global and focal ischemia animal models have been encouraging. However, only a few small clinical studies have investigated its use in humans. ⋯ Induced hypothermia is effective as a neuroprotectant in animal models of acute ischemic stroke. Its multimodal mechanism of action makes it a very attractive method of neuroprotection. Although human studies suggest it is safe and feasible, larger randomized controlled trials are necessary to address clinical efficacy and to refine the methods and parameters of induced hypothermia protocols.
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Aug 2008
ReviewCarbamylated erythropoietin to treat neuronal injury: new development strategies.
Carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) is a modified erythropoietin molecule not affecting hematocrit. It is a potentially important pharmacological agent that may be applied to the treatment of several diseases affecting central and peripheral system neurons. ⋯ Use of CEPO in treating diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries is important because these conditions affect millions of patients every year. Extensive preclinical studies support further clinical studies of CEPO for acute ischemic stroke. However, further studies are required for testing CEPO in patients with many other indications.